Rack assembly



Nov. 5, 1957 M. TRAMMELL RACK ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 24, 1954 A TTORNE Y5.

Nov. 5, 1957 E. M. TRAMMELL RACK ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 24, 1954 BY 4 (lbm,

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent thee i 2,812,069 Patented Nov. 5, 1957 RACK ASSEMBLY Earl M. Trammell, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Huttig Sash & Door Co. Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware This invention relates to improvements in a rack assembly, to improved rack installations, and to improved methods of arranging such racks so as to realize a saving in warehouse floor space.

It is an important objective of the present improvements to provide a rack which will permit stacking of a plurality of pallet loads, one above the other, without one pallet load resting on or supported by the other, which will produce an economy of floor space, and which will afford economies that result from the use of forklift operation.

In the racks heretofore used, there is a considerable waste in stacking space because of the different widths of pallet loads. Most materials when loaded on a pallet weigh a great deal, and hence the supporting shelves must have considerable strength. In such prior storage racks, columns or posts are located between the space adapted to receive the pallet loads to support this weight. However, it is obvious, that these column supports are permanently spaced, and thus as aresult of the inconsistent widths of pallet loads, considerable stacking space is wasted. It is accordingly an important objective of this invention to realize a rack assembly that does not have supports of any kind at the front of the shelves, and hence to realize a rack assembly that provides a continuous storage space adapted to receive laterally adjacent pallet loads of any widths without the loss of any storage space.

' Anotherobject is realized by the provision of a cantilever type of support extending laterally outward from a center load-carrying structure of the rack assembly, the cantilever support consisting of elongate rods carried by the center structure and adapted to be selectively located and mounted in a plurality of positions on cross beams or stringers of such structure, whereby to realize the above noted advantages and functional results.

Still other important advantages and objects are realized by the utilization of a cantilever type of load support. For example, it is possible to use flat boards as pallets that can be handled by fork-lift operation, the spacing below and between the cantilever type of supporting rods permitting insertion of truck forks. As a result of affording the use of flat pallets, there is a substantial-economy in the cost and maintenance of such pallets as compared to the usual relatively thick, builtup pallets, and a considerable conservation of space in storing and stacking such flat pallets.

Another important object is realized in providing an interlocking'feature between the supporting rods and the stringers of the center-load-carrying structure, which prevents any unintentional withdrawal or axial displacement of such rods.

Another important objective is realized in the provision of means in .a rack assembly which renders the rack movable laterally in either direction. An arrangement Ora plurality of suchmovable racks in a predeterminedspace, and method of manipulating the racks'permits more floor space to be utilized for storage than would be permitted by the conventional, laterally spaced arrangement of stationary racks in the same predetermined space, and permits access to both sides of each rack.

The foregoing and numerous other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a rack assembly, and the installation of a plurality of movable racks in a predetermined space, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rack assembly showing the rack mounted on a track, and including a power means adapted to move the rack along such track;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective. view of a pair of horizontally disposed ocooperating stringers, and of several supporting rods, Fig. 2 showing the interconnection and interlocking feature of the rods with the stringers, and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a rack installation showing a plurality of movable racks within a predetermined space.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first to Fig. l, the rack assembly includes a base structure that consists of a plurality of horizontally disposed braces referred to at 10, the braces 10 being located in spaced, substantially parallel relation. Carried by and located medially of the base is a center loadcarrying structure referred to generally at 11. This center load-carrying structure 11 includes a plurality of upright elements 12 which constitute vertical standards. The lower ends of upright elements 12 are fastened to the center portion of braces 10. It will-be noted that braces 10 and upright elements 12 are preferably formed of channels having a U-shaped cross section, For uniformity in construction, the braces 10 are placed on their sides so that the channels open to the same end of the rack assembly. Similarly, the upright elements 12 have their channels all opening to the opposite end of the assembly, thus enabling the flat base of the channels constituting upright elements 12 to lie fiat against the base of the channels constituting braces 10.

The center load-carrying structure also includes a plurality of stringers 13 attached to each side of the vertical upright elements 12. Each of the stringers 13 10-. cated at one side of vertical elements 12 is horizontally disposed, and is arranged in vertically spaced relation with each adjacent stringer 13. Each stringer 13 at one side of upright elements 12 is arranged directly opposite a corresponding and cooperating stringer 13 located at the other side of vertical upright elements 12. Each pair of directly opposed, horizontally spaced stringers 13 serves as a mounting for a load-supporting means later fully described. These stringers 13 are also preferably formed of channels having a U-shaped cross section, and are arranged so that the channels open laterally outwardly on each side of center load-carrying structure 11. Several diagonally arranged strips 14 are attached to and interconnect adjacent vertical upright elements 12, and serve generally to reinforce the center load-carrying structure 11.

Provided in stringers 13 are a plurality of regularly spaced apertures generally indicated at 15 in Figs. 1 and 2, the apertures 15 in stringers 13 being arranged closely adjacent one another, and extending the entire length of the rack assembly. In addition, the apertures 15 of each pair of directly opposed stringers 13 are similarly arranged in directly opposed relation, and hence are disposed in registered alignment, the purpose of which will be subsequently explained. As more clearly appears from Fig. 2, the apertures 15 are substantially circular in configuration, except for a small projecting recess 16.

The load-supporting means consists of a plurality of selectively movable supporting rods 17 of circular cross section, the rods 17 being adapted to interfit any of the registered apertures of directly opposed stringers 13, and hence being adapted for mounting in the center loadcarrying structure 11. It appears in Fig. 2 that elongate supporting rods 17 are adapted to closely interfit any of the aligned apertures 15 in any pair of opposed cooperating stringers 13. When inserted into apertures 15, the supporting rods 17 extend laterally outwardly from the center load-carrying structure 11,.and hence form a cantilever type of support.

In Fig. 1, it is shown how supporting rods 17 may be utilized to support pallet loads. Usually, for the average width of pallet loads having normal weight, only two supporting rods 17 are used. But if such pallet loads are excessive in weight, or if weight has been increased due to extra wide pallets, then additional supporting rods 17 may be inserted into apertures 15 below the pallet to carry this additional weight. It is apparent that the pallet loads may be arranged in closely adjacent relation for the entire length of the rack assembly regardless of the widths of such loads. Furthermore, it is seen that pallet loads may be supported by rods 17 immediately above or below another pallet load supported by similar supporting rods 17.

In this particular cantilever type of rack assembly, a fiat board may be utilized as a pallet, which results in substantial economies in cost and maintenance than that attained by the thicker built-up pallets now in extensive use. Because the supporting rods 17 under a fiat pallet are horizontally spaced apart, and provide a space underneath such pallet, truck forks may be accommodated incident to either placing pallets in the rack or removing them from the rack. Obviously, considerable economies are realized by handling materials by fork-lift operation.

Each of supporting rods 17 is provided with a pair of abutments 20, the abutments 20 being longitudinally spaced a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the base of the channel comprising a stringer 13. a When a supporting rod 17 is inserted into aligned apertures 15 of a pair of opposed stringers 13, one end 21 of rod 17 extends through and is received in aperture 15 of one stringer 13, while the opposite end 22 extends laterally outwardly from the other stringer 13, and hence extends laterally outwardly of the center load-carrying structure 11. As the supporting rod 17 is inserted into place, one of the abutments 20 passes through recess 16 of aperture 15 in one of the stringers 13. In position, the abutments 20 are located on opposite sides of stringer 13. After the supporting rod 17 is properly located, it is angularly twisted or rotated slightly so that the abutments 20 on opposite sides of the stringer 13 are placed out of register with recess 16 of aperture 15. Thus it is seen that abutments 20 are adapted to engage opposite sides of one stringer 13 to prevent any unintentional axial displacement of rod 17 The rack assembly, as has been described, may be stationary in character, with bases 10 of the base structure being disposed on and supported by the subjacent floor. However, certain important advantages and functional results, such as a considerable saving in warehouse floor space, may be attained by rendering such rack assemblies movable.

As is more clearly shown in Fig. 1, a drive shaft 23 is journalled by each of braces 10 and upright elements 12, the drive shaft 23 extending the entire length of the rack assembly. Connected to drive shaft 23 are a plurality of drive wheels 24, one of the wheels 24 being located closely adjacent each of the braces 10. A platform25 is connected to and between a pair of upright elements 12 of the center load-carrying structure 11, and is adapted to carry an electric motor 26 constituting a power device, and

ill

. particular type to carry a gear reduction unit 27. A power transmission means is utilized to connect operatively the drive shaft 23 with the electric motor 26. This transmission means consists of a sprocket 30 carried on shaft 31 connected to motor 26 through reduction unit 27, a second sprocket 32 mounted on drive shaft 23, and a connecting link chain 33 extending over and engaging sprockets 30 and 32.

Located in the subjacent floor are a plurality of tracks 34, the tracks 34 being arranged in spaced, parallel relation. The drive wheels 24 constitute track followers, and are adapted to ride on tracks 34. At each end of each brace 10 is a roller 35 adapted to engage the subjacent floor. The wheels 24 and rollers 35 hold the braces 10 off the floor. Upon actuation of motor 26, the wheels 24 are driven by shaft 23 through the interconnection of power transmission means 30, 32 and 33, and hence the rack assembly can be transported along the floor laterally in either direction, the wheels 24 riding on tracks 34, and rollers 35 riding on the floor.

These movable rack assemblies may be arranged and manipulated within a predetermined space allotted for warehouse storage so that a greater percentage of such space will be used for actual storage purposes than would be normally realized by the conventional, spaced arrangement of stationary racks in the same predetermined storage space. For example, such an installation is clearly shown by the diagrammatic top plan view of Fig. 3. It is assumed for purpose of illustration, that the predetermined space allotted for storage is represented by the distance between two fixed walls 36 and 37.

In the installations of stationary racks, it is necessary that an aisle be provided between the wall and each end rack, and that an aisle be provided between each adjacent pair of racks, so as to permit access to both sides of each rack. Thus it is seen that a considerable portion of this predetermined floor space is taken up by aisles.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a diagrammatic arrangement of movable racks which will result in a substantial saving in this otherwise wasted storage space taken up by aisles. Located in this predetermined space between walls 36 and 37 are a number of movable racks illustrated diagrammatically by rectangular blocks generally referred to at 40 in Fig. 3. It is only necessary to provide enough space between walls 36 and 37 which will provide a single aisle as indicated at 41, suflicient in width to permit access to adjacent racks 40. The remaining space may be completely occupied and utilized for storage by the rack as-- semblies 40. Since each of the racks 40 is movable along tracks 34, the aisle space 41 may be conveniently located in different positions within the predetermined space so that access may be had to either side of any rack assembly 40. For this purpose, each of the racks 40 need only be moved a distance equal to the width of aisle 41. This of rack installation and method of movement is clearly illustrated by the two rows shown in Fig. 3. In this first or upper row, the aisle 41 is located between the first and second racks at the right of Fig. 3, while the same aisle space 41 is located between the second and third racks in the second or lower row. Of course, an aisle 42 is required between the adjacent rows of racks.

Although the improvements have been described by making particularized reference to a preferred embodiment of a rack assembly, and to a preferred installation and method of moving such rack assemblies, the detail of description is not to be understood as restrictive, numerous variants being possible within the principles disclosed and within the fair scope of the claim hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

In a rack assembly for pallet loads, a base consisting of a plurality of spaced laterally extending braces, 21 standard connected medially to each brace, a plurality of stringers carried on opposite sides of said standards, said stringers at each side of said standards being horizontally disposed, and being vertically spaced from adjacent stringers, each stringer at one side of said standards being arranged directly opposite, and horizontally spaced from a correspondingly located stringer at the opposite side of said standards, said stringers being provided with a plurality of apertures, the apertures of each stringer being aligned with the apertures of the opposed stringer, a plurality of supporting rods carried by said opposed stringers, said rods being adapted for insertion into any of said aligned apertures of any pair of opposed stringers to accommodate the size and weight of each particular pallet load, said rods extending laterally outwardly from said stringers to support such loads, the rods and cooperating pairs of stringers being adapted to support one pallet load immediately above another such load, yet independent therefrom, an abutment on each of said rods, at least one of said aligned apertures being provided with a recess to permit passage of said abutment upon insertion of a rod into aligned apertures of opposed stringers, said abutment being adapted to engage one of said opposed stringers in a rotative position of said rod to prevent unintentional axial displacement of said rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 465,794 Of Dec. 22, 1891 470,206 Morrison Mar. 8, 1892 1,002,860 Morley Sept. 12, 1911 1,132,021 Mark et a1 Mar. 16, 1915 1,580,744 Lyon et al. Apr. 13, 1926 1,858,671 Kaufman May 17, 1932 1,907,646 Gross May 9, 1933 1,916,852 Sutton July 4, 1933 2,214,547 Bonsall Sept. 10, 1940 2,249,142 Kagel July 15, 1941 2,272,227 Thomas Feb. 10, 1942 

